Count Abdulla is a six-part horror comedy that follows Abdulla Khan, played by The Bay star Arian Nik, who is a mid-20s Muslim doctor stuck in an identity crisis, as he's caught between his religious mother and his secular, hedonistic friends. Then he's bitten by Jaime Winstone's vampire and their comedy adventure begins.
Jaime Winstone has put a first-look picture of Count Abdulla on to her Instagram, which you can take a look at below as well as ITV's first-look image above.
In the meantime, here's everything you need to know about the ITVX comedy Count Abdulla...
Count Abdulla release date
Count Abdulla launches first on ITVX on Thursday June 15 2023 as a box set. It will then become available on ITV1 or ITV2 later in the year or early 2024. We'll update you when we hear on that, plus any US or international release dates.
Count Abdulla plot
Count Abdulla follows Abdulla Khan, a British-Pakistani Muslim doctor in his mid-20s who's having an identity crisis thanks to being caught between the expectations of his mega-religious mother, Bushra Khan (Nina Wadia) and wanting to have plenty of fun with his hedonistic partying friends. Then one day he is bitten by a mysterious punk vampire girl (played by Jaime Winstone) and things will never be the same for him again as he becomes 'Count Abdulla'.
Speaking to WTW Arian Nik, who plays Abdulla explains: "When he's bitten by Halal-hunting vampire, Kathy, Abdulla becomes the ultimate outsider’s outsider... It's one thing to be Muslim in this country, but it's another thing to be a Muslim vampire.
"‘There's lots of dress up and blood. My favourite were the fangs. But Count Abdulla also flips familiar vampire folklore on its head. Holy water and crucifixes mean very little to a Muslim vampire!’"
"It’s a super fun ride and takes you on a journey, exploring an Asian community and youth culture in London," adds Jamie Winstone. "Kathy’s wild, lonely, and at the end of her reign. She’s struggling because she’s been around so long, but she finds a weird friend in Abdulla. They need each other more than they know"
Count Abdulla cast — Arian Nik, Jaime Winstone and Nina Wadia
The main stars of Count Abdulla are Arian Nik and Jaime Winstone, playing the doctor and the vampire who bites him. Nina Wadia, plays Abdulla's mum, Bushra Khan, who starts to see her son in a new light.
Arian Nik as Dr Abdulla Khan
Arian previously starred as Theo Anvari in ITV drama The Bay in 2021. He was also in the movies Artemis Fowl and Allelujah.
Jaime Winstone as the vampire
The daughter of movie star Ray Winstone, Jaime has played Barbara Windsor in the 2016 BBC One drama Babs as well as playing the 1979 version of Barbara's famous soap character Peggy Mitchell in a special flashback episode of EastEnders in 2022. Also in 2022, Jaime starred in BBC One drama Four Lives, plus she's starred in movies such as Made In Dagenham, Donkey Punch and Kidulthood.
Nina Wadia as Bushra Khan
Nina plays mum Bushra Khan who becomes well worried about him when he gets bitten. Star of the big screen and small, comedian and actor Nina Wadia's talents have taken her from Hollywood to Walford. Nina's TV credits include White Teeth, Waking the Dead, Skins, Doctor Who, Holby City, The Outlaws, EastEnders — where she played matriarch and business woman Zainab Masood from 2007 until 2013 — and iconic comedy Goodness Gracious Me. Nina's film credits include Bend It Like Beckham, A Street Cat Named Bob, and Aladdin. She also took part in Strictly Come Dancing 2021.
Who else is starring in Count Abdulla?
Set and partly filmed in Hounslow, the series also stars Sia Alipour (who is starring in upcoming Peter Capaldi-led crime thriller, Criminal Record) as Abdulla’s chaotic cousin Shafi, who fancies himself as a vampire slayer and Manpreet Bambra (Free Rein, Funny Woman) as Abdulla’s unrequited love interest and sarcastic co-worker, Amrita. Naturally, everyone close to Abdulla gets sucked into his bloody nightmare… with his mum Bushra even attempting an exorcism on the hapless doc with the help of his cousin Shafi.
Other cast in Count Abdulla include Jonny Green as Charles Ruthven and Darren Charman as Coven Vampire.
Count Abdulla season 1 — episode guide
Count Abdulla season 1 — episode 1
'Halaloween'
From ITVX: "Count Abdulla follows Abdulla Khan (Arian Nik) - a mid-twenties British Muslim doctor stuck in an identity crisis, caught between his religious mother Bushra (Nina Wadia) and his secular, hedonistic friends. But when Abdulla is bitten by a vampire (Jaime Winstone) he suddenly becomes the outsider’s outsider."
Count Abdulla season 1 — episode 2
'The exorcism of Abdulla Khan'
WTW: Abdulla is getting acquainted with his new circumstances — namely retractable incisors, an aversion to sunlight and a distinct lack of reflection. He also finds himself drawn to the hospital blood bank. The doctor part of him thinks it’s iron deficiency, but the horror-movie buff suspects it could be a crisis of a different flavour — and he’s not stoked about it…
"While the truth begins to dawn on Abdulla, Kathy’s full of regret about the night before, as she’s now obliged by vampire law to kill him. Meanwhile, Abdulla's loved ones get sucked into his bloody nightmare, with Bashra and Shafi attempting an exorcism on the hapless doc."
Count Abdulla season 1 — episode 3
'The Lost Bhais'
In a double attempt to quash some of his friends’ conspiracies around his dating life and to get some answers out of Kathy, Abdulla promises to bring her along to a dinner party at Amrita’s, his unrequited love.
Count Abdulla season 1 — episode 4
'Malika Of The Damned'
Abdulla, desperate for some answers and unfaltering in his desire to find a cure to his vampirism, agrees to go on a date with Kathy at her favourite haunt.
Count Abdulla season 1 — episode 5
'The Red Shaadi'
Gate-crashing Amrita’s sister Preethi’s hen night, Abdulla is introduced as Amrita’s new Sikh boyfriend and Preethi is beyond excited to welcome him to the family. So much so that she invites, in fact insists, that he comes to the wedding.
Count Abdulla season 1 — episode 6
'The Shadow Over Heathrow'
Abdulla’s terrified of the consequences of his identity being revealed as he escapes with Amrita from the wedding. But as they come clean about their feelings for one another, she offers a potential route out for the young Muslim doctor.
Is there a trailer for Count Abdulla?
Yes, there is a trailer for Count Abdulla season 1 — and it's got bite!
Count Abdulla behind the scenes
Count Abdulla is written by Kaamil Shah and directed by Asim Abbasi (Churails). Count Abdulla is a Fudge Park production, produced by Hussain Casey Ahmed (Afterlife), with executive producer Phil Gilbert (White Gold).
Speaking to us Arian said: "Kaamil Shah’s scripts are fresh and funny. It’s an opportunity to see Muslim people and a Muslim community in a way that we've never seen before. Why can’t we have Muslim vampires?"
